Candlestick plant (scientifically called Cassia alata) is also known as King of the forest which is an ornamental plant that blooms yellow flowers. It belongs to Caesalpiniaceae family and is inherent to Americas in tropical areas. It could be found all over the world and is also found in Jamaica. Leaves, roots and barks are used as herbal medicine. Saponins, narengenin, anthraquinones, flavonoids, and yellow chyrsopanic acid are its constituents. It possess various medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial. Its common names are Candelabra Bush, Candle Bush, Candelabra Plant, Candlestick Senna, Emperor’s Candlesticks, Empress-Candleplant, Christmas-Candle, Emperor’s…
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Coral pea is also known as Climbing Morning Glory, Happy Wanderer, False Sarsaparilla, Native Lilac, Purple Coral Pea, Purple Coral, Native Sarsaparilla, Purple Twining Pea, Native Woodrose, Sarsaparilla, Waraburra, Lilac vine, Vine lilac and Wild sarsaparilla. It is a flowering plant species belonging to the pea family Fabaceae. It is native to Australia from Queensland to Tasmania. The plant is a vigorous evergreen climber growing as subshrub bearing typical pea like flowers usually violet, pink and white. Leaves are hard, dark green and leathery with prominent venation. It is a widespread species which is found in many habitats. Coral pea…
Dianthus caryophyllus is a flowering plant belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae commonly known as pink family or the carnation family. It is a large family with some 2000 species and 88 genera. More than 300 varieties of Carnations could be found throughout the world. It is originated from Asia and Europe. This plant has been cultivated for at least 2000 years due to their intense fragrance and beautiful flowers. It requires well drained soil, direct sunlight and enough moisture for successful growth. It is believed that first carnation formed from the tears of Virgin Mary when Christ was crucified. This…
This summer bloomer adds vibrant and tropical effect with its medium green, ferny foliage and brilliant orange to red and yellow flower clusters. It is native to West Indies and Mexico. It thrives best in hottest places which bloom continuously during warm season. The shrub has large and feathery leaves. The plant attains the height of 1.5 to 6 meters in height and blooms flower by early summer. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Flower resembles peacock and are bowl shaped measuring 2 to 3 inches across with five crinkled, unequal orange and red petals. It is easy…
Kiwi berry with scientific names Actinidia arguta is a species of Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. in the family Actinidiaceae. It is native to Eastern Siberia, Japan, China, Sakhalin, Korea and Kuril Islands. Kiwi berry plant produces an edible fruit which are cultivated for both domestic and commercial purposes. The fruit juicy, sweet and aromatic. Kiwi berry are cultivated as an ornamental plants. They can be found in jams, jellies, salads, smoothies, sports drinks, appetizers and tenderizers. Other common names of Kiwi berry are Arctic Kiwi, Bower Actinidia, Baby Kiwi, Cocktail Kiwi, Bower Vine, Dessert Kiwi, Japanese…
Caesar salad is a green salad made of Romaine lettuce and Croutons which is dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, egg, garlic, black pepper, Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce. The recipe comprises of romaine lettuce leaves, shavings of parmesan cheese, garlic croutons tossed in a creamy dressing that is made of olive oil, egg, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. To the belief, original recipe of Caesar salad did not contain pieces of anchovy. As it may be, modern versions included them because original did have slight flavor of anchovy which came from Worcestershire sauce. It is…
Coleslaw is also called slaw or cole slaw, is a salad which consists of finely shredded raw cabbage with salad dressing commonly mayonnaise or vinaigrette. It is prepared with vinaigrette those benefits from long lifespan allowed by pickling. It is served as a side dish and is provided by some fast food chains in United States. It is the combination of various ingredients and each proves distinct personality to the Coleslaw recipe. Traditional recipes comprise of buttermilk with spices and vinegar and some includes jicama, shredded carrots, raisins and other ingredients. The vital ingredient is raw, shredded cabbage that makes…
Thousand Island dressing is a condiment and salad dressing which is based on mayonnaise and also includes orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cream, vinegar, mustard, tomato puree, cream, Tabasco sauce or ketchup. Usually, it contains finely chopped ingredients that comprises of bell peppers, onions, pickles, hardboiled egg, green olives, pimento, parsley, chopped nuts (such as chestnuts or walnuts), garlic and chives. History It has an excess of origin stories. It was originated in the resorts in the Thousand Island area of the most northern reaches of New York state and Canada, Southern Ontario, just after 20th…
Hoary stock (Matthiola incana) is a biennial or perennial tomentose herb growing 15 to 75 cm high. Hoary stock is also commonly known as Brampton Stock, Gillyflower, Common Stock, Hoary Stock, Imperial Stock, Stock, Gilli-flower, Brompton Stock, Stock, July Flower, Garden Stock and Tenweek Stock. It is unbranched or has sparingly basal branching. Basal leaves are rosulate and cauline leaves are sessile or shortly petiolate, 3 to 16 cm long, 1 to 2 cm broad, oblanceolate with apex rounded and attenuate base. The racemes are 10 to 30 flowered. Sepals measure 10 to 15 by 2 to 3 mm, linear-lanceolate…
Alyssum is the genus which comprises about 100 to 170 species of flowering plants in Brassicaceae family and is inherent to Asia, Europe and Northern Africa with highest species diversity in Mediterranean region. This genus consists of annual and perennial herbaceous plants or small shrubs that grows 10 to 100 cm high with oblong to oval leaves and yellow or white flowers. Genera Aurinia and Lobularia are closely associated to Alyssum and were included formerly in it. The species “Lobularia maritima” is widely cultivated. The herb is pubescent, erect, ascending or procumbent and annual to short lived perennial reaching 10…
African Tuliptree produces tubular tulip like flowers whose color ranges from orange-red to scarlet and measures 9 to 13 cm long and 7 to 8 cm across which forms in erect clusters mainly at the top of the tree’s crown. Each flower possesses four pale yellow stamens about 5 to 6 cm long with dark brown anthers. Flowers are connected by a spathe like calyx which is covered with velvety rusty to brown hairs. The tree bears large and erect green to dark brown pods about 13 to 25 cm long, 2 cm thick and 4 cm wide which point…
Impatiens balsamina is also known as Balsam weed, Garden Balsam, Garden Touch-me-not, Jewel Weed, Rose balsam, Spotted snapweed, Touch-me-not, Touch Me Not Balsam, Garden Balsam, Impatiens, Garden Balsamine and Jewelweed. Garden Balsam is an annual plant which grows from 60 to 100 cm high. Stem are robust, erect with base measuring 8 mm in diameter. Stems are simple or branched, succulent, glabrous or laxly pubescent when young with fibrous roots and swollen lower nodes. Leaves are alternate, petiole 1-3 cm, leaf blade lanceolate, oblanceolate or narrowly elliptic measuring 4-12 × 1.5-3 cm. Pedicles are 2-2.5 cm, bracteates at base, densely…
Dahlia is a genus of bushy, herbaceous and tuberous perennial plants inherent to Mexico. It is the member of Asteraceae family which also includes daisy, sunflower, zinnia and chrysanthemum. Dahlia consists of 42 species with hybrids which is commonly grown as garden plants. The forms of flower are variable having one head per stem. It could be as small as 5 centimeters in diameter or upto 30 centimeters. It possesses leafy stems which range to the height from 30 cm to 2.4 meters. Majority of species do not produce cultivars or scented flowers. They are brightly colored with the display…
Chrysanthemum indicum is an annual or perennial herb growing 25 to 100 cm tall. It has erect, glabrous, sulcate, sparingly branched, green stem as well as short procumbent rhizomes. Leaves are alternate which is pale green below and dark green above, deeply lobed, ovate to elliptic ovate and irregularly toothed found on 1 to 2 cm long petioles. Inflorescence is in axillary or terminal corymb of many small heads, long peduncled measuring 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. Fruit is achenes which are very small, cuneate oblong, grooved and compressed. Other common names for Chinese Chrysanthemum are False Camomile, Indian…
Cornflower is a member of daisy family renowned for its vibrant blue flowers. Cornflower is also called Bachelors Button, Blue Cap, Blue Bottle, Blue poppy, Blueblow, Bluebonnets, Boutonniere Flower, Bluebottle, Cornflower, Cyani Flower, Hurtsickle, Garden Cornflower, Bachelor’s Button Knapweed and Garden knapweed. Scientifically known as Centaurea cyanus, is a robust and herbaceous annual plant growing to the height of 20 to 85 cm with greygreen, slender and distally branched stem. Leaves are alternate, gray-tomentose measuring 3 to 10 cm. Flower heads are rounded or flat topped cymbiform arrays and about 2.5 to 3.5 cm diameter borne on long peduncles surrounded…
Bellis perennis is a common European species of daisy belonging to family Asteraceae. Sometimes it is known as common daisy, English daisy or lawn daisy. It is also known as occasionally woundwort and bruisewort. Native to Central, Western and Northern Europe and is naturalized in most temperate regions including Australasia and Americas. Daisy is an annual or herbaceous perennial plant measuring 10 to 25 cm high with sparsely strigose scape and creeping rhizomes. Leaves are rosulate and basal with long winged petioles and lamina is spatulate about 2 to 6 cm by 1 to 2.8 cm with serrated to crenate…
Tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa is a perennial plant which is associated to agaves; extracts are used as a middle note in perfumery. The name is derived from Latin tuberosa which means swollen or tuberous. It contains 12 species. Polianthes refers many flowers in Greek. Tuberose is a night blooming plant which is inherent to Mexico. Aztecs call it as Omixochitl or borne flower. It is an extrusive plant in Indian mythology and culture. Flowers are used in garlands, various traditional rituals, and decoration and wedding ceremonies. It is known as Rajnigandha or Raat ki Rani in Hindi. Rajnigandha means night fragrant.…
Grape Hyacinth is a perennial bulbous plant which is scientifically called Muscari neglectum with other common names such as Blue Bottle, Common Grape Hyacinth, Cipollini, Edible Muscari, Grape Hyacinth, Hairy Muscari, Musk Hyacinth, Muscari, Nutmeg Hyacinth, Starch Hyacinth, Southern Grape Hyacinth, Tufted Grape Hyacinth and Starch grape hyacinth. This perennial bulbous plant is native to Eurasia. It produces dense spikes which are commonly blue and urn shaped flowers. Sometimes it is grown as an ornamental plant such as spring bulb in temperate climates. It belongs to the lily family Liliaceae. Its common name refers to the clusters of small and…
Agave sisalana, also known as Sisal is an agave which possesses a stiff fiber that is used for making rope, twine and also dartboards. This term refers to the plant or fiber which depends on context. Sometimes, it is incorrectly referred to as sisal hemp as hemp was used as a major source of fiber for centuries so due to this other fibers were named after it. The origin of the plant is uncertain. It is considered to be inherent of Yucatan. In 19th century, the cultivation of Sisal spread to Florida, Brazil and the Caribbean islands and also Africa,…
Telosma cordata is a flowering plant species inherent to India, Burma, Indochina and South China. It is cultivated elsewhere and occurs wild as an introduced species. Commonly it is also known as Chinese violet, Pakalana vine, cowslip creeper, Tonkin jasmine and Tonkinese creeper. The plant contains clusters of golden yellow which blooms during summer months along the vining stems. Individual blooms are found over a period of weeks which emits a rich and heavy fragrance during day and night. Plant The plant is a small and perennial climber that grows to 10 meters long with yellowish green, much-branched stem which…
Society garlic, scientifically known as Tulbaghia violacea, is a flowering plant species belonging to the onion family Alliaceae, native to Southern Africa and is naturalized in Mexico and Tanzania. The plant grows to 60 cm tall by 25 cm wide. It is a clump forming perennial having narrow leaves and large clusters of violet and fragrant flowers which blooms from midsummer to autumn. Leaves are grayish green and the plant resembles showy garlic or garlic chives plant. Society garlic contains 4 to 9 grasslike leaves each measuring a foot long and half inch wide. Leaves grow straight up out of…
Plumeria is a genus which contains 7 to 8 species which grow in tropical and subtropical Americas. This genus comprises of mainly deciduous trees and shrubs. Plumeria rubra grows in Central America, Mexico and Venezuela that produces flowers ranging from yellow, white to pink. From Central America and Mexico, it spread to all tropical areas of the world notably Hawaii, where it is grown abundantly. Frangipani is a small tree or spreading shrub which grows upto the height of 2 to 8 meters and have similar width. The tree has thick succulent trunk and sausage like blunt branches which is…
Brewer’s yeast is acquired from fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is common yeast used for beer making. This form of yeast is a great source of Vitamin B complex, chromium, protein and selenium. This yeast is used for baking, wine making and brewing. It is believed to have been originally set apart from skin of grapes. It is one of the most comprehensively studied eukaryotic model organisms in molecular & cell biology like Escherichia coli as model bacterium. The cells of brewer’s yeast are round to ovoid measuring 5 to 10 μm in diameter. It reproduces by division process called…
Bladderwort is the genus of carnivorous plants belonging to the family Lentibulariaceae. The genus of Bladderwort contains 220 widely distributed species of plants which are featured by small hollow sacs which actively capture and digest tiny animals such as aquatic worms, insect larvae and water fleas. Bladderworts are found in streams, lakes and waterlogged soils. It occurs in fresh water and wet soil as aquatic or terrestrial species. The plants lack roots and have horizontal floating stem which bears simple or divided leaves. The plant is 8 inches tall. The stem produces small carnivorous bladders and ranges from dark to…
Blackhaw Viburnum is an American spcies, a deciduous shrub which reaches 15 feet high producing a cluster of white flowers, serrated oval leaves and blue-black berries. Fruit is red and is native to both Europe and North America. It grows in hedges, woodlands and thickets. Bark is gray to brown on outside and reddish brown on inside. Blackhaw is a branched woody shrub which grows 15 feet high. The bark of small branches is gray and slightly rough and old bark is grey and rough having flat topped plates. Leaves are 3 inches long and 1 inch across, glabrous, ovate…
Many cultivated bananas and almost all cultivated plantains belong to triploid cultivars of Musa X paradisiaca. It is relied that the farmers of Southeast Asia domesticated M. acuminata. The cultivated plants then spread north-west into areas where M. balbisiana was inherent hybrids between two species that occurred and then further developed into various cultivars. About hundreds of cultivars of M. × paradisiaca are known which possess characteristics that are variable highly. Typically they are 2 to 9 meters (7 to 30 ft.) high when mature. The above ground part of the plant is pseudostem or false stem which consists of…
Nectarines, scientifically known as Prunus persica var. nucipersica, are commonly known as stone fruits. It is a small tree which belongs to rose family Rosaceae and is a cultivated variety of peach. It bears fruits similar to peaches but is smooth and lacks hairy fuzzy feature of peaches. These days, Nectarine is cultivated in temperate regions worldwide for its flower and edible fruits. Since the white nectarine cultivars started in early 1990s in U.S., the cultivation and popularity increased. P. persica is inherent to China and have long history of cultivation which dates back to 10th century B.C. Nectarines appeared…
Sugar apple also known as sugar pineapple and sweetsop is the species belonging to Annonaceae family which is inherent to tropical Americas and is also grown widely for its juicy, fragrant and flavorful fruit. It contains high content of vitamin C than orange. It is widely cultivated of tropical fruits which include sugar-apple, cherimoya and paw-paw. It is cultivated in lowland tropical climates including the Antilles, Southern Mexico, tropical Africa, Central and South America, Polynesia, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii, U.S. and Florida. In 16th century, it was introduced to India and Philippines and since that time it has been cultivated there.…
Citrus reticulate is also known as Mandarin, Mandarin orange, Satsuma, Mandarine, Culate Mandarin, Loose- Skinned Orange, European Mandarin, Mandarin, Maltese Orange, Mandarin Orange, Sasutma, Sasutma Orange, Swatow Tangerine, Tangerine, Suntara Orange, Tangerine Orange, True Mandarin and Temple Orange. It is a small fruit tree which is intolerant to cold belonging to citrus family Rutaceae and originated in Northeastern India or Southwestern China. It is cultivated in subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World (especially in the southern United States and southern Europe). Presently it is cultivated in tropical and semi-tropical areas around the world for its…
Natto is a traditional Japanese food which is made from soybeans usually fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. It is consumed as a breakfast food with fish and miso soup . Usually it is served with karashi mustard, soy sauce and Japanese bunching onion. Natto may be an acquired taste due to its strong flavor, powerful smell and slimy texture. For some people, ammonia smell may induce the mixture of cheese and old socks. The texture resembles stringy, gooey and sticky small bean which adds unappealing nature. Natto is most popular Japan in eastern regions such as Tōhoku, Kantō, and…